Where to eat seafood in Scotland

There isn’t a better takeaway than freshly cooked fish on the coast of Scotland. From lobsters to langoustines, oysters, mussels, crabs and scallops, to salmon and even monkfish, Scotland’s lochs and seas produce amazing fish and seafood. Here are my favourite places to eat seafood in Scotland.

1. The Seafood Shack, Ullapool

The quality of the freshly cooked langoustines, crab claws, fish finger wraps and seafood platters which come out of Seafood Shack, a wee catering van in Ullapool needs to be eaten to be believed – you will want to try everything. The van has a few seats in its courtyard setting to devour your purchase, but instead take a wander down to Ullapool harbour and watch the boats bring in the catch of the day and the ferries leave for the Western Isles – the perfect way to eat seafood in Scotland! Visit the Seafood Shack.

2. The Oyster Shed, Isle of Skye

The Oyster Shed really is a shed, but one which serves oysters, langoustines and mussels with an incredible view. The oysters are grown on their own oyster farm on the shores of Loch Harport, so learn to shuck your own oysters and then pick up a seafood platter, grab a bench and eat looking out over Carbost. Finish up by wandering down the hill to the Talisker Distillery for a dram of whisky. Skye treats not to be missed! Visit the Oyster Shed and read my guide to Skye.

3. The Potting Shed, Applecross

Hidden away in a walled garden on the Applecross peninsula is a little gem of a cafe where local sourcing really is a way of life. All the salads and vegetables are grown in the garden and the owner actually works on a fishing boat bringing home the goodies for the restaurant. Lobsters are often on the menu, along with crab, squats and Brot na Mara, a bouillabaisse-style stew. Only problem? You have to be brave enough to drive the Bealach na Bà to get there! Visit the Potting Shed Cafe and read more about Applecross.

4. Loch Bay, Stein, Isle of Skye

A remote hamlet on the far north coast of Skye might be an unusual place to find a Michelin-starred French-inspired seafood in Scotland restaurant, but chef Michael Bay is worth going (quite a few) extra miles for. Serving tasting menus and a la carte lunches in a tiny whitewashed cottage with Harris tweed chairs, Loch Bay has a cool laid back attitude with perfectly judged service. Try the Hake & Prawn which comes topped with a perfectly served and sweet langoustine and squattie sauce – oh and don’t miss their triple cooked chips. Yes, fish & chips at a Michelin starred restaurant…Visit Loch Bay

5. Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku

Driving the North Coast 500 around the far north of Scotland is on most people’s bucket lists, and Kylesku and its dramatic bridge, a popular stop. However down in the tiny hamlet beneath the bridge sits the Kylesku Hotel which serves up incredible seafood – the mussels are grown in the bay, the lobsters, crabs and spineys are creel caught in the sea around the hotel, and fishing boats land right outside the front door – you can’t get much more local than that. I recommend the langoustines, served hot with garlic butter. Visit the Kylesku Hotel

6. The Lobster Shack, North Berwick

Freshly grilled lobster, champagne and a harbour wall seat? That is my kind of heaven and you can find it at the Lobster Shack at North Berwick. Open from March – September (dependent on the weather) this little shack pumps out consistently excellent seafood. If lobster isn’t your thing, try the mussels, chowder or breaded fish & chips. On a sunny day, with the boats bobbing in the harbour it doesn’t get much more perfect.Visit the Lobster Shack

7. The Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye

A tiny restaurant in one of the remotest areas of Scotland, the Three Chimneys carve out a piece of foodie heaven by stuffing their Skye, Land & Sea tasting menu full of products from less than 20 miles from the restaurant – oysters from the Oyster shed at Carbost, mussels from Loch Eishort, scallops from Sconser and lobster, crab and langoustines collected straight from the pier outside the restaurant. Try sweet Dunvegan crab with ginger ice cream, scorched langoustines with succulent sweetbreads – roasted scallops served simply with a dashi broth. Visit the Three Chimneys

8. Caberfeidh, Lochinver

The tiny village of Lochinver has long been a foodie destination – and its port is the second largest in fishing port in Scotland. On the outskirts of the village, The Albanach long held Britain’s most northerly michelin star, but now their village pub the Caberfeidh is making waves for its cooking. Offering up a small plates menu chalked up on blackboards – the food is so fresh that once it is gone, its gone. Try local creel caught langoustines, hot and cold smoked, & beet-cured salmon, locally landed breadcrumbed haddock and scallops, all served up in an atmospheric room, accompanied by local ales. Visit the Caberfeidh

9. The Lobster Hut, Crail

A garden shed stands proudly on the edge of Crail’s picturesque harbour offering fresh crab and lobster to those in the know. Choose yourself a picnic bench, bring along the wine and salads (and all the extras you need from Ardross Farm Shop) and grab yourself a crab roll or a plate of lobster and set yourself up for a picture perfect lunch in the sunshine. The lobster hut offers seafood at it is most simple and affordable, a roll stuffed full of crab is just £2.50. The view from your bench across one of Scotland’s best views – priceless.Visit The Lobster Hut

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2 comments

They all look so lovely. My wife and I went looking for some of these last year and found they all close at the end of September so they are mostly summer places. Its a shame as surely we want to encourage tourists all year.